Rainwater diverter

ABSTRACT

This rainwater diverter is easily installed in a downspout of a building. It results in a totally enclosed system that is easy to maintain and winterize. Complete with a debris filter, overflow, and two large outlets it can divert the maximum amount of rainwater from the gutter to a rain collection unit and/or rain garden. I have taken all of these desired features and put them in one affordable, aesthetically pleasing unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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SEQUENTIAL LISTING

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

I have acres of plants, very little lawn, and a large roof. I searched for a way to collect the rainwater off my roof so that I could store it in large tanks and use it regularly on my landscape. I know that plants thrive on rainwater. I also realize saving rainwater reduces run off that is polluting our lakes, saves on water bills and replenishes our groundwater supply. I searched for diverters, wanted ease of use, a filter system built in, large outlets, and wanted to have a closed system to avoid mosquito hatch and algae build up in my rain harvesting system. I could not find a diverter that would do all of these things, so I invented this one.

2. Background of the Invention

Many do-it-yourselfers trying to collect rainwater and many rainwater diverters available on the market have one goal in mind and that is to get all of the rainwater from the downspout into the rain barrel. Therefore, they restructure the downspout by cutting it off and putting a curved end on it that is then positioned so that the rainwater will flow into a screened opening in the top of the barrel. It only takes ¼″ of rain on a 350 sq. ft. roof to fill a 50 gallon barrel. That is just a minimal amount that is usually available. Furthermore, if the barrel is not outfitted with a large overflow outlet, there is no place for the excess water to go. Therefore, if the barrel nor the diverter allows for the overflow that is going to happen after the barrel is full, the extra rainwater is going to spill out of the top of the barrel and many times down into the foundation of the building. Also, with this system, where the barrel needs to be drained and removed for the winter months, the downspout then has to be reconstructed to allow for any rains that occur while not collecting in the rainwater harvesting unit.

On the other hand, other diverters available have only one small outlet and tube going to the collection unit and the user not only cannot get enough rain into the collection unit, the remaining rainwater coming off the roof is wasted or creates a run off problem.

There are very few diverters that filter the roof debris and therefore there is a large amount of leaves, pine needles, tree seeds, and other roof and gutter debris plugging the diverter and settling in the bottom of rain collection units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Because of my observations, I designed this rainwater diverter to serve a few basic functions with ease of use while keeping with a simple style that doesn't ruin the aesthetics of a home.

The basic function of this rainwater diverter is to collect the maximum amount of rainwater that flows from one gutter, down the downspout into rain collection units and/or a rain garden through two large outlets and connected tubing. If both tubes are connected to collection units and the units fill up, the overflow will back up into the diverter and flow down the original downspout.

The present invention is inserted by cutting out a small portion of an existing downspout while leaving the upper portion and lower portion intact. Thereby utilizing the original position and distributing the overflow where it was originally intended to go with no other alterations necessary for winterizing.

In addition, the diverter includes a removable debris filter that is easily accessible for cleaning. It is molded using a UV resistant durable plastic mesh. There is purposely no cover for the diverter so that the user will observe the build up of debris in the filter and be apt to clean it more often. Along with this we recommend gutter filters.

Along with that are two plugs that are used for winterizing the unit or when one of the two outlets are not in use. They are simply pushed into the outlets from inside the diverter thus the tubing does not need to be removed for winter. The rain collection unit should simply be drained for winter. The periodic rains will flow down the overflow and out the original downspout. These two plugs are stored and used as handles on the aforementioned debris filter.

The present invention provides a method of attaching the diverter directly to the collection units with tubing creating an entirely closed system and avoiding the problem of mosquito hatch, algae build up, and rodent entry.

One last consideration for inventing and manufacturing this diverter was affordability. This diverter is of simple construction, while reliable and durable for extreme temperatures and outdoor elements and with regard to both materials and labor, will be economically available to the public.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general view of the rainwater diverter installed in a downspout.

FIG. 2 is a general view of the rainwater diverter without the downspout and downspout straps.

FIG. 3 is an angled view of the debris filter.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the debris filter.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the rainwater diverter showing the inside without the debris filter.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the two cylindrical outlets and the overflow chute protruding from the bottom of the rainwater diverter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the rainwater diverter (1) installed in a downspout on a structure where a portion of the downspout has been cut out, leaving the upper downspout (2) for the rainwater to flow into the rainwater diverter (1). The rainwater is then directed to flow out the two cylindrical outlets (4). Two tubes would be connected to the outlets (4) leading to water collection units or diverting the flow to a rain garden. It is possible to connect a variety of tubing styles ranging from flex tube, vinyl tubing, or PVC pipe using 1¼″ ID or reducing the size to fit the required inlet on the collection unit. The lower downspout (3) is used for overflow. The overflow occurs when there is excess water in the diverter from heavy rains, backflow from a collection unit that is full of water, or if the diverter is intentionally plugged for winter or when not in use. The lower downspout (3) allows the rainwater to flow out where it was originally designed to go. The downspout straps (6 & 8) are used to secure the diverter to the structure. The back top lip (5) is secured under the top downspout strap (6) and the upper downspout (2) during installation.

FIG. 2 illustrates the rainwater diverter (1) without the upper downspout (2) and the lower downspout (3) and the respective downspout straps (6 & 8) shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows the hole (9) in the back top lip (5) to aid in mounting to the structure. Also shown is the lower chute (10) that is used to attach the rainwater diverter (1) to the structure.

FIG. 3 shows the debris filter (7) that is utilized in the top of the rainwater diverter (1). The debris filter basket (7) is made of sturdy UV resistant plastic normally used in the industry and only filters large debris. It is not claimed to filter small debris or to render the water potable. The front lip (21) and the back lip (23) are solid plastic. The base has a solid inset of plastic (20) and when the debris filter (7) is inserted in the rainwater diverter (1), this solid inset of plastic (20) is positioned directly under the upper downspout (2) and directly over the overflow chute (10) both shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The solid inset of plastic (20) is designed to divert the rainwater to the mesh areas (18), thus allowing the rainfall to continue into the rainwater diverter (1) and down the two outlets (4) instead of flowing down the overflow chute (10) both shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the debris filter (7) and the two rubber plugs (22) which are screwed onto the front lip (21). The rubber plugs (22) while being stored here are used as handles for removing the debris filter (7) from the rainwater diverter (1). The rubber plugs (22) are used for winterizing or for when no rainwater will be collected from one or both outlets (4) shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the rubber plugs (22) are unscrewed from the front lip (21) and will be inserted in the holes (11) from the inside of the diverter to prevent rainwater from flowing down the holes (11). One rubber plug (22) or both may be used at any time depending on the situation. This reduces the homeowner's task of having to disconnect tubing when not in use. When rainwater does collect in the base (14) of the rainwater diverter (1) it has no effect on the unit if it freezes and thaws.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the rainwater diverter (1) showing the inside without the debris filter. Spaced on both ends in the base (14) are two holes (11) that are flush to the base (14). This will allow rainwater to flow through the two holes (11) and possibly to two different collection units or to a rain garden and a collection unit. Directly in the center of the base (14) is the square overflow chute (12) that protrudes up into the cavity and will allow rainwater to flow down the lower portion of the downspout (3) when the water rises to that level. In the corners of the rainwater diverter (1) are molded corner pegs (13) for the debris filter (7) to rest on.

FIG. 6 is the bottom view of the rainwater diverter (1). Shown here are the two cylindrical outlets (4) meant to have tubing clamped onto them for the rainwater to flow down into rainwater collection units providing an entirely closed system. The outlets (4) are positioned far enough apart for a typical 2″×3″ or 3″×4″ downspout to fit between and still have room for the tubing and clamps to be installed on the outlets (4). Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the lower chute (10) will be positioned inside the lower downspout (3) when installed. The lower downspout strap (8) must first be attached to the structure behind the lower chute (10), then wrapped around both the lower chute (10) and the lower downspout (3) and then have a screw inserted through the lower downspout (3) and the hole (17) in the lower chute (10). 

1. The rainwater diverter which comprises: a unit to be installed in a downspout, a debris filter, an overflow unit, two outlets, and two rubber plugs.
 2. The rainwater diverter of claim 1, wherein the unit further includes: a top lip and lower chute for mounting onto a structure by removing a specified section of the downspout and inserting the rainwater diverter and downspout straps and securing with screw; and an open top to allow any size downspout to discharge water into the rainwater diverter; and the distance around the lower chute allows for a downspout of any size depth and up to a 4″ width; and no disturbance of the original placement of the upper and lower portions of the downspout after installation.
 3. The rainwater diverter of claim 1, wherein the debris filter includes: a UV resistant material normally used in the industry for gutter filters; and a solid molded center for diverting water flow to the edges; and two outer mesh areas for collecting roof debris; and the storage of the plugs as handles; and ease of removal for cleaning.
 4. The rainwater diverter of claim 1, wherein the unit includes an overflow: to compensate for any extra rainwater coming down the downspout or back into the diverter from a collection unit that is full; and to direct the rainwater down the original downspout.
 5. The rainwater diverter of claim 1, wherein the unit includes two outlets: to attach two 1¼″ ID tubes that will then connect to two separate collection units, resulting in maximum rainwater collection; and that results in a closed system thus avoiding algae, mosquitoes, and rodent entry.
 6. The rainwater diverter of claim 1, wherein the use of the rubber plugs includes: plugging off one or both outlets from the inside for any situation; and eliminating the need to disconnect tubing; and utilizing them as handles when connected to the debris filter. 